[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 19-2016, January 21, 2016 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 19-2016, January 21, 2016 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 19-2016, January 21, 2016 ]

TO : THE COURT OF APPEALS SANDIGANBAYAN, COURT OF TAX APPEALS, REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS, SHARFA DISTRICT COURTS, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS, SHARI'A CIRCUIT COURTS, THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF STATE PROSECUTOR, PUBLIC ATTORNEYS OFFICE AND THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES

SUBJECT : COURT RESOLUTION DATED 02 SEPTEMBER 2015

Pursuant to 02 September 2015 Resolution of the Court En Banc, in A.C. No. 7425 (Elizabeth Dupaya v. Atty. Plaridel L. Villacete), the Court AFFIRMED the Resolution No. XIX-2010-455 dated 28 August 2010 passed by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Board of Governors, the relevant portions of which ar.e quoted as follows:

On February 27, 2009, the Commission on Bar Discipline of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) recommended the suspension of Villacete from the practice of law for six (6) months for lack of good moral character. On August 28, 2010, the IBP Board of Governors passed Resolution No. XIX-2010-455, adopting the report and recommendation of the Investigating Commissioner, thus:

RESOLVED to ADOPT and APPROVE, as it is hereby unanimously ADOPTED and APPROVED the Report and Recommendation of the Investigating Commissioner of the above-entitled case, herein made part of this Resolution as Annex "A", and, finding the recommendation' fully supported by the evidence on record and the applicable laws and rules, and considering Respondent's lack of good moral character, Atty. Plaridel L. Villacete is hereby SUSPENDED from the practice of law for six (6) months.

However, since Villacete had long ceased practicing law and has no more intention to resume in the future, he is deemed to have already served his suspension from the practice of law from the date of the IBP Resolution or on August 28. 2010 up to February 28. 2011.

HEREFORE, the Court AFFIRMS the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Board of Governors Resolution No. XIX-2010-455 dated August 28, 2010. (Emphasis added)

For your information, guidance and strict compliance.

21 January 2016

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator